Rocking the Alto Clef in the Beehive State

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On June 4 at 7:30pm, violists Gavon Peck and Dr. Joelle Arnhold, along with pianist Bethany Pietroniro, will perform an eclectic program featuring works by both past and contemporary composers at the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall at Utah State University. There will be a pre-recital lecture given by Dr. Arnhold beginning at 7:00pm.

We have a big viola week coming up! Renowned British violist Roger Chase will be returning to Utah for a series of concerts and classes, followed by one of our favorite events – the UVS Annual Recital!

We named ourselves after the stunning geography of the summer music festival that the three of us have in common. The Grand Teton Music Festival has happened every summer in Jackson, Wyoming, since 1962. The mountains of the Teton range, and the trails and scenery of Grand Teton National Park have been such an iconic backdrop to some truly life-changing performances for all three of us, and so by taking the name of this special place we hope to pay homage to and continue that tradition of beauty.

I first met Greg and Jason early in the 2000s. Met them separately, that is. Jason came to the Utah Symphony having mostly finished his Doctoral work at Rice University. I was lucky enough to be on his audition committee, and have since been continually in awe of his artistry. Greg and I met at a summer festival in Bellingham, Washington. The festival featured a small chamber orchestra (billed as the “All-Star Orchestra”), and I couldn’t help but notice Greg’s gorgeous clarinet sound.

Fast forward a few years to Greg’s living room at the Grand Teton Festival, hanging out after an orchestra concert. Plans were hatched to try to do some chamber music the following summer. That plan materialized in a recorded-live performance of Schumann’s “Fairy Tale Pieces,” hosted and eventually broadcast by Fred Child and his NPR program Performance Today. Never have I had so much fun in a concert, or been so proud of a broadcast. I felt excited to do it again.

Greg must have felt the same way, because he was able to secure funding from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Chair Grant Fund (through the O’Donnell Foundation) to make a recording. We brought Jason onboard, and spent the last precious days of our summer vacations recording in Teton Village’s Walk Festival Hall. In addition to the Schumann, we recorded trios by Mozart and Reinecke and transcriptions of Schubert and Massenet.

This will be our first real recital, and, since we’re just at the beginning we have no idea where this path might lead. But we do hope that everyone feels the joy we do and walks away humming a new favorite tune.

I first came to Utah in 1987 to attend the Violin Making School of America. I graduated in 1983, then taught at the school for four years before opening a shop near Liberty Park in 1988.

What services does your shop provide, and is there an area that you specialize in?

I focus on new making of violins, violas and cellos. Mainly violas and cellos. I am also available for repair work.

What do you love about the viola,anddo you have a particular sound or concept that you are aiming for when you make violas?

I grew up studying the violin but started playing the viola in college and loved its deep, rich sound. When I started making violas here in Utah I built a number of them for David Dalton’s students at BYU. I learned a lot from those instruments and from following the players through the years. What I focus on is building an instrument that is even across the register, speaks quickly, has a wide dynamic range, and colour to the voicing. Can you play pianissimo and still have clarity and be heard? A viola that is just loud, without colour to its voicing, is boring to me. A viola that can stand up to chamber music work must have character!

Are your violas influenced by particular historical models?

I want the instrument to be easy to play – I use an Amati pattern because I like the sloped shoulders, which makes higher position work easier.

Do you play music yourself, and do you have hobbies or interests away from music and instruments?

I Currently I play violin in the Salt Lake Symphony. Outside of my work I love hiking and mountain biking, and I just returned from Canada where I got to do both at Whistler Mountain!

Looking forward in seeing everyone at Viola Day !!

Carrie has recently finished two new violas and will be starting a large viola soon. This beauty will be available to try at Viola Day!

I have been in Utah for for 23 years, I moved here from Minneapolis in 1995. There were other many local makers to work alongside, and an environment of youthful, energetic creativity. The viola was the first instrument I made here in SLC!

What services does your shop provide, and is there an area that you specialize in?

I provide violins ,violas and cellos. I make new instruments, and give tonal adjustments , bow rehairs, and repairs.

I have been doing my trade for 30 years and continue to learn each day. I consider myself very lucky to have worked with some of the best.

I have been told by many that I have a knack for adjusting and setting up instruments to reach the personal preference of the musician. I am a player myself and grew up in a family of musicians, so my goal is to communicate with my clients about ideas and concepts of sound, and then find the right playablity for the individual.

Do you have a particular sound or concept that you are aiming for when you make violas? What do you love about the viola?

The sound and concept of my violas are to provide an instrument that is easy to play and have a character to the sound which both projects and has warmth.

I find the recent model I am making liberating in that I am playing with dimensions and wood choice. The basic model is that of an Amati. After I make my alterations it has deviated into my own personal model. So far it seems to be working quite well.

I love the viola because it can have so many variations in size sound and style.

Do you play music yourself?

I play steel guitar , guitar and fiddle. ( maybe I will switch to jazz viola ) . I have been lucky to know so many great musicians locally and nationally. I was once put on stage at Red Butte opening up for the Tedeschi Trucks Band . These days I just enjoy playing at home with the occasional gig out on the town.

Do you have hobbies or interests away from music and instruments?

I enjoy the mountains, snowboarding and the wild west. I feel like I need another century to scratch the surface of what this state has to offer. I really appreciate feeling a part of this community.

Dear Viola Friends,
Here we go with another year! Viola Day 2018 will feature local luminary Brant Bayless, Principal Viola of the Utah Symphony. Mr. Bayless will be presenting a masterclass in the morning, and the afternoon will feature a special project of his – The Teton Trio. This ensemble was formed at the Grand Teton Music Festival, has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today, and has just recorded their first album! They will be presenting an afternoon of world-class chamber music for viola, clarinet, and piano, a combination which features the lyrical and soloistic side of the viola – particularly exciting when in the hands of a masterful performer such as Mr. Bayless.

We’re also lucky in Utah to have a great local community of skilled luthiers. If you’re shopping for a viola, curious about violas, or just love to play all the violas you can get your hands on – you’ll have lots to do at Viola Day!

Scroll down to read through the full schedule of Viola Day events, you can pre-register by renewing your UVS membership here.

We’ll see you there!

Brad Ottesen and your UVS Team

P.S. Alto Clef cookies…

Viola Day 2018

Saturday, September 29 – University of Utah, Gardner Music BuildinglRegistration: $20 Adult/$10 Student